Louisiana Birth Certificate: A Complete Guide

There are mainly three methods to order a Louisiana birth certificate: online, in person, and by mail.

It may take a few weeks to obtain a Louisiana birth certificate. Some necessary documents need to be collected when ordering a birth certificate.

Below are the step-by-step details for obtaining a Louisiana birth certificate.

Who Issues Birth Certificates in Louisiana?

Citizens of the state of Louisiana can only collect birth certificates from the Louisiana Vital Records Registry. There is no way to collect from anywhere else.

However, if you want to collect a Louisiana birth certificate from another state, you must contact the vital records office of that state.

Required Documents for Applying for a Birth Certificate

When applying for a certified copy of a birth certificate in Louisiana, you must provide proper identification.

This can be in the form of one primary document or two secondary documents. Here’s what you need:

Primary Documents

Provide one of the following:

• Current state-issued driver’s license with a photo clearly identifying the applicant.
• Current state-issued picture ID with a photo clearly identifying the applicant.
• Current U.S. military ID card with a photo clearly identifying the applicant.
• Current U.S. or foreign passport.
• U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550, N-570, or N-578).
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-578).
• High School Students: A current school yearbook or school ID with a photo clearly identifying the applicant.

Secondary Documents

If you don’t have a primary document, you can provide two of the following secondary documents:

• Current student picture ID from a college or university, accompanied by a 100% fee paid receipt for the current semester (counts as two documents).
• W-2 form issued within the last two years, plus an original signed Social Security card (Social Security numbers must match, counts as two documents).
• Social Security card.
• Original adoption papers.
• Official certified deeds or title to property.
• Certificate of vehicle title.
• Insurance policy showing the applicant’s name (Health, Home, Life, or Auto).
• Payroll stub (not handwritten) showing the applicant’s name and Social Security number.
• Current U.S. military dependent ID card with a photo clearly identifying the applicant.
• Original DD-214 Military Discharge document clearly identifying the applicant.
• Voter’s Registration application (certified true copy).

Eligibility for Getting a Birth Certificate in Louisiana

Louisiana is a “closed record” state, meaning birth certificates are not public records and can only be accessed by certain individuals:

The Person Named on the Document: The individual whose name is on the birth certificate.

Immediate Family Members

• Current Spouse: The person’s husband or wife.
• Parents: The person’s mother or father.
• Adult Child: A child who is 18 years or older.
• Siblings: The person’s brother or sister.
• Grandparents: The person’s grandmother or grandfather.
• Grandchildren: The person’s grandchild.

Attorneys

Attorneys representing any of the above individuals, provided they submit:

• A written declaration of representation.
• Their bar roll number.
• A request on letterhead and a copy of their current ID.
• Other Adults with Legal Custody: Must present a judgment of custody. Notarized custody papers or provisional custody mandates are not acceptable.

Order Louisiana Birth Certificate Online

We have previously learned that there are three options for applying for a Louisiana birth certificate, the first of which is an online application. Now, let’s learn step-by-step how to apply online.

• First, visit the VitalChek website.
• After visiting, you will see four options, with the first option being “Birth Certificate“

• Click on the “Get Started” button here.
• On the next page, you will have two options, select one of them.

• Then provide your legal name and continue.
• On the next page, since you are a citizen of the state of Louisiana, select Louisiana as the state and press continue.

• On the next page, provide your date of birth correctly and press continue.

• On the next page, you will need to provide a reason for ordering the birth certificate. Select a reason and continue.

• On the next page, there will be two options.
• If you want to order online through Vital Records, select the “Birth Long” section.
• If you want to order by calling, select the “Will Call” option.

• On the next page, some important information will appear, read it once, tick the “Understand” option below and press continue.

• On the next page, it will show you how much it will cost for your birth certificate.
• If you want an additional copy, select it above and press continue.

• On the next page, re-enter your name and date of birth along with gender and order the birth certificate.

Ordering Louisiana Birth Certificate by Mail

Another method for ordering a birth certificate is by mail. For this, you need to fill out an application form and mail it. You can download the PDF form of the application form below.

• To fill out the application form, visit the Birth Certificate Application Form.

• Fill out the application form with sections like personal information, record information, applicant information, mailing address for the certificate, etc., according to your identification.
• If there is any mistake in the information, your certified copy application may be canceled. Therefore, fill it out correctly and mail the completed application to:

Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics
P.O. Box 60630
New Orleans, LA 70160

However, remember to send a photo with the application form and the necessary documents by mail.

Birth Certificate Application Form pdf

In-Person Ordering for Louisiana Birth Certificate

If you want to apply for a birth certificate by going directly to the Vital Records Office, you first need to fill out an application form provided above.

Fill out the application form correctly, collect the necessary documents, and be present at the following address according to the Vital Records Office:

1450 Poydras Street Suite 400 New Orleans, LA 70112

Walk-in services accept cash (must contain the exact amount), check, and money order as forms of payment.

Remember to bring your photo identification and the required fee when submitting the application form to Vital Records.

Birth Certificate Costs for Louisiana

The fees for obtaining a certified copy of a Louisiana birth certificate are set by statute and may change during any Legislative Session. These fees cannot be waived. Here are the current costs:

Regular Costs

• Birth Certificate: $15.00 per copy
• Birth Certificate plus Birth Card (short form): $24.00 per pair
• Clerk of Court issued Short-Form Birth Certification Card/Long-Form Birth Certificate combo: $48.00 per pair
• Clerk of Court issued Long-Form Birth Certificate: $34.00 per copy

Additional Charges

• A $0.50 state charge must be added to each mail-in or VitalChek order.
• Orders placed through VitalChek via the internet, phone, or kiosk are subject to an additional security fee.

Fee Payment Methods

• Mail-In Services: Payable by check or money order, made out to “Louisiana Vital Records.” Remember to include the $0.50 state charge.
• Walk-In Services: Accepts cash, check, or money order. Make checks and money orders payable to “Louisiana Vital Records.”
• Kiosk Services: Payable by debit/credit card or check. Orders include a security fee and shipping fee (shipping fee waived for will-call pickup at the Vital Records Central Office in New Orleans). Checks should be made payable to “Louisiana Vital Records.”

If no record is found during a document search, the fee will still be retained to cover the search expenses.

An additional non-refundable fee of $18.00 is charged for any correction of a vital event record unless the amendment is requested within 90 days of the record’s registration.

Inactive cases are closed after six months of inactivity, and all documents are returned to the requestor.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Birth Certificate?

Now let’s find out how long it takes to get a Louisiana birth certificate after ordering it. Typically, for online applications, it can take four to six weeks.

However, it depends on Vital Records. For mail applications, it takes about 8 to 10 weeks from the date your request is received. On the other hand, if you apply in person, you can collect your birth certificate on the same day.

Contact Information

To order a birth certificate through the VitalChek network, you can contact this number: 1-877-605-8562.

If you have already ordered a birth certificate and want to inquire about it or need any information, call 1-877-605-8562 for information.

Address:

• 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112
• Walk-in Service Hours: 8:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. (excluding state holidays)

FAQs

• Can I expedite the process of obtaining a birth certificate?

Answer: Yes, you can expedite the process by using the VitalChek Network, which offers expedited services for an additional fee. This can be done online, by phone, or via fax.

• Is it possible to get a birth certificate on the same day?

Answer: Yes, if you apply in person at the Vital Records Central Office in New Orleans and all your documents and fees are in order, you may be able to receive the birth certificate on the same day.

• What happens if my birth certificate application is missing information?

Answer: If your application is missing information or documents, it may be delayed or rejected. Make sure to complete all fields and provide the required identification and fees to avoid delays.

• How do I check the status of my birth certificate order placed through VitalChek?

Answer: You can check the status of your VitalChek order by visiting their website or calling their customer service line at 1-877-605-8562.

• What should I do if my birth certificate has errors?

Answer: If your birth certificate has errors, you can request an amendment. An $18.00 fee is charged for any correction, unless the amendment is requested within 90 days of the record’s registration.